As the U.S. prepares to wrap up a winter that featured snow from the West Coast to the Deep South and a series of brutal nor'easters in New England, the outlook for spring could portend more wicked weather for parts of the country.The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released Thursday its three-month spring outlook, which highlights a risk of flooding in the Ohio River basin and areas of the lower Mississippi River that have already been soaked from floods.“Flooding that began in mid-February is still ongoing for parts of the middle and lower Mississippi Valley and is forecast to continue for at least the next few weeks,” Dr. Thomas Graziano., director of NOAA’s Office of Water Prediction, said in a release. “We encourage people nationwide to be prepared for the range of spring weather threats, including flooding, and tune into local forecasts to monitor their individual risk.”In addition, above-average temperatures are forecast through much of the U.S., particularly in the South, and drought could extend into or worsen in the Southwest, southern and central Plains, and California.Long-term trends and computer models form the basis for the outlook, but the NOAA stressed the figures presented in its forecast are only the most likely outcomes. There is a chance areas could get different outcomes than forecast.“Whether it’s an emergency manager dispatching resources ahead of possible flooding or accurate predictions of river flows and water levels to ensure safe navigation on waterways, NOAA’s seasonal forecasts have economic value for the nation,” said Dr. Neil Jacobs, assistant secretary of commerce for environmental observation and prediction. "The benefit of these seasonal and subseasonal forecasts will continue to grow as we improve them in accordance to the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act."

As the U.S. prepares to wrap up a winter that featured snow from the West Coast to the Deep South and a series of brutal nor'easters in New England, the outlook for spring could portend more wicked weather for parts of the country.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released Thursday its three-month spring outlook, which highlights a risk of flooding in the Ohio River basin and areas of the lower Mississippi River that have already been soaked from floods.

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“Flooding that began in mid-February is still ongoing for parts of the middle and lower Mississippi Valley and is forecast to continue for at least the next few weeks,” Dr. Thomas Graziano., director of NOAA’s Office of Water Prediction, said in a release. “We encourage people nationwide to be prepared for the range of spring weather threats, including flooding, and tune into local forecasts to monitor their individual risk.”

In addition, above-average temperatures are forecast through much of the U.S., particularly in the South, and drought could extend into or worsen in the Southwest, southern and central Plains, and California.

Long-term trends and computer models form the basis for the outlook, but the NOAA stressed the figures presented in its forecast are only the most likely outcomes. There is a chance areas could get different outcomes than forecast.

“Whether it’s an emergency manager dispatching resources ahead of possible flooding or accurate predictions of river flows and water levels to ensure safe navigation on waterways, NOAA’s seasonal forecasts have economic value for the nation,” said Dr. Neil Jacobs, assistant secretary of commerce for environmental observation and prediction. "The benefit of these seasonal and subseasonal forecasts will continue to grow as we improve them in accordance to the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act."